Cupcakes and Tattoos

Chapter 21

Once Alexa was settled back in with her toys on another room, Carlos turned his attention to his wife. "Lucia, give me a moment with Calliope."

"I trust you're going to take care of this?" Lucia asked.

"Of course, my love." He kissed Lucia lightly on the cheek and turned to his youngest daughter and her girlfriend. He could tell his Calliope was hurting and he could see her alone companion was ready to pounce if needed. Carlos wasn't sure what was appropriate to do. He wanted to take his baby girl into his lap when she was hurting, like when she was a child. He knew that he and his wife were the cause of her pain though. He didn't think he'd be able to get passed her blue eyed guardian either. "I apologize for not introducing myself sooner." Carlos smiled and held out his right hand to the blonde. "Carlos Torres. Welcome to my home." He already knew who she was. He had spent the day doing his research.

Arizona eyed the stern looking man who she had already figured out was Callie's father. He oozed power and wealth. She had a feeling this man always got what he set out for and no one ever stood up to him. Arizona was finally understanding why Callie acts the way she does towards her family and why she had let Erica walk all over her. This man in front of her was so completely opposite from her own father. She found herself not trusting his kindness. Arizona let go of Callie's hand to return the handshake and smiled politely. "Arizona Robbins. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Torres." She continued to stand firmly between him and her girlfriend. She would do whatever Callie needed her to do.

"You too, Ms. Robbins."

"Please, it's Arizona, Sir." As much as she disliked this man, Arizona's mother had taught her to be polite.

"Well, Arizona. Thank you for coming on such short notice. I am sure Calliope has updated you on our situation."

Situation? What situation? The fact he treats the most wonderful woman in the world like she was nothing? The fact that his wife was quite possibly the worst mother? "I'm not sure what you are referring to."

"I am sorry to hear about your brother. No family should have to experience that. Calliope has asked for my assistance."

Oh, that situation. "Thank you, she did mention that."

Carlos glanced behind Arizona and locked eyes with his daughter's apprehensive brown ones. They looked so much like his wife's, but warmer. Lucia tended to have nothing but coldness in her eyes. Especially over the last few years. She used to have the same warmness as Callie. That was who he fell in love with. He couldn't help but think he not only ruined his daughter, but also his wife. "Calliope..." He trailed off when Arizona turned her back to him and faced Callie. His daughter broke eye contact with him to look down at the blonde.

Arizona took both of Callie's hands into her own and silently asked if she was okay. Arizona hated seeing her girlfriend this way. Callie wasn't sure how to answer. She was in a room with both her mother and father for the first time in a long time. She knew that she shouldn't be this anxious around them. It didn't always used to be this way. Her parents were never the model parents, but they used to be an actual caring family. Callie had loved them more than anything and she had thought they loved her. Of course she still loves them, but it was different. Her father used to be her hero. He could do no wrong in her young eyes. Her mother used to be warm and inviting. She remembered her tucking her and her sisters in with either a song or a story every single night without fail. Callie couldn't pinpoint the exact moment when it all went wrong. Maybe it was when Eva was diagnosed, maybe it was when her parents threw their money at every doctor in the world to try and save her, maybe it was the moment they finally gave in to the fact that she couldn't be saved, or maybe it was when she finally succumbed to the disease that slowly took her life. Callie knew it was before they found out she was gay. That was just the thing they had decided to focus on. She knew she ruined their image of a perfect family, but she couldn't care anymore. Every family event she had to hide who she was. She didn't even have contact with her favorite cousins anymore. No one ever questioned anything. That's how this family functioned. She focused back in on Arizona. She had Arizona and she had her friends. That's all she needed. Callie decided right then and there that if tonight didn't go well, she was done with this for good.